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fermented apples with star anise and cinnamon in a mason jar with apples on the side

Fermented Apples

Kyrie | Healthfully Rooted Home
Fermented apples are a wonderful way to add more probiotic-rich food into your diet. This easy ferment will help you to preserve apples and offers tons of serving options. You'll have this recipe on repeat after this!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
fermenting time 2 days
Total Time 2 days 10 minutes
Course Appetizer, Breakfast, brunch, Dessert, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cups fermented apples
Calories 25 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Jar with a lid that keeps air out but releases CO2 I use this fermentation kit
  • 1 Fermenting weight 
  • 1 Knife
  • 1 Peeler

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups apples cleaned, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 lemon juice
  • filtered water amount varies
  • 2 tbs starter culture optional
  • 1 tbs ground cinnamon optional
  • 2 star anise optional

Instructions
 

  • Clean your work surface thoroughly and gather your materials.
  • Wash, peel, and dice your apples.
  • Add your starter culture (optional), salt, lemon, cinnamon and 1 cup of water to a bowl then whisk to combine.
  • Add your apples to your jar then place your star anise (if using).
  • Pour the liquid mixture over your apples.
  • Add more filtered water (enough to cover the apples once the weight is in the jar).
  • Add a fermentation weight or something to keep the apples below the brine. Sometimes I use a bag of rocks, a bag of apple peels, etc. Anything that will be heavy enough to keep all the apple chunks below the brine.
  • Fit the jar with your lid.
  • Ferment for 2-5 days. You'll know they're done when bubbles start to form in the brine and it has a slightly alcoholic smell (nothing too off-putting).
  • Once your apples are fermented to your liking, remove the weight and add an airtight lid then place in the fridge.

Video

Notes

How to Store Fermented Apples

After fermented, fermented apples will keep in the fridge for about 3 months in an airtight container - though you'll likely eat them before then.

Notes on storing fermented apples

  • As with any ferment, your apples may store for a different length of time than mine due to environmental factors. Be sure to check for signs of mold prior to consuming.
  • Do be sure to use clean utensils to remove your apples from the jar so they don't spoil faster.

Freezer storage

You can freeze your fermented apples, however, this is not ideal as some of the probiotics will die off in the freezer.

Fermented Apple Tips

  1. Quality apples - organic apples with little to no blemishes will give you the most successful ferment.
  2. Peel the apples - even organic apples have residue on the skin - be sure to peel them prior to fermenting.
  3. Don't ferment too long - Remember, fruit ferments very quickly before it turns to alcohol. Don't ferment longer than 5 days max.
  4. Use a starter culture - this really helps but isn't necessary.
  5. Keep your apples out of direct sunlight while fermenting - this ensures the proper rate of fermentation.
  6. If you don't have a pickle pipe or airlock lid - you can totally ferment apples without this special equipment, but be sure to "burp" the jar every day to let the CO2 gasses out.
  7. 2% salt - If you're changing the amount of apples in this recipe, be sure to use a 2% salt to fruit ratio to have a successful ferment and to preserve the crunchiness of the apples.

What to Expect when Fermenting Apples

  • Fermenting fruits is much quicker than other ferments - so expect to only ferment them on the counter for about 2-5 days.
  • Expect your apples to lose their sweetness as they ferment.
  • A slightly alcoholic smell is normal when fermenting fruits.
  • The brine will start to bubble a bit after a couple of days on the counter.
Keyword fermented apples, fermenting apples, how to ferment apples